Singing from new heights

Running off to join the circus seems like a far-fetched fantasy. But for Cypress Bay junior Kevin Yungman, the dream has become reality.

Yungman has joined the cast of the new Cirque Dreams Holidaze show, which is showing at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood through Nov. 8 before embarking on a national tour.

"Every time I walk into a rehearsal, it's like having another birthday party," Yungman said. "It's unbelievable and it's happening."

A native of Argentina, Yungman began performing at an early age. He learned to sing before he could even speak.

"There are recordings of me from when I was 2, and I would be singing, but then they would ask me questions and I couldn't talk," Yungman said.

He strengthened his talents by participating in various summer camps and training classes.

In April, Yungman received an e-mail about the "Run Away With Your Dreams" audition at Bloomingdale's in Aventura Mall, which would award one contestant a feature role in the Miami performance of Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy at the Adrienne Arsht Center.

"There were hundreds of people, so I thought I'd never get picked, but it would be a good experience," Yungman said.

Yungman won, singing both a duet and solo in front of a crowd of more than 3,000 people.

He kept in touch with Cirque Dreams producer Neil Goldberg, who later approached him about appearing in Cirque Dreams Holidaze.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze consists of 33 singers, dancers, acrobats and contortionists ranging in age from 9 to 50.

The show centers on a large Christmas tree, and each performer climbs or dances around the tree to tell a story about different holiday events.

"The most amazing thing is that you see one thing and another and think, 'what can they do next?' They flip each other with their legs, get up on each other with one arm; it's incredible what they do," Yungman said.

"It's kind of inhumane. It's like waking up from a dream and going into another one."

To participate in the 12-hour rehearsals needed to prepare for the show and tour, Yungman enrolled in two online classes for the fall semester rather than attending regular classes.

He said his life has changed drastically.

"I miss my friends and everything, but it's the kind of sacrifice you make for this kind of profession," Yungman said.

The junior plans to return to Cypress Bay in January and has considered graduating early to focus on his career.

However, for now, Yungman has no set plans.

"I've learned to look at my life as if the elevator of my life is out of order. I have to take the emergency stairs, one at a time," Yungman said.

"I don't know if I'm going to continue performing or go to college; there's a lot of different ways I can take it. The opportunity that arises will take me there."